The Jefferson Awards engages the Partners in our communities to highlight local volunteers. The goal is to spotlight the great work they do and to inspire our community to put their service ideas into action.

AUBURN, Kan. (KSNT) — A local shelter is helping dogs recover from abuse and abandonment in hopes of finding them forever homes.  Each dog at Second Chance Animal Refuge Society or SCARS has its own story.

The Shawnee County Parks And Rec. opened the Blaisdell Pool to the dogs on Tuesday evening. The pool is closed for the season and the last swim in the pool is with the dogs and their owners. The pool charged $5 per dog and served as a fundraiser for the Second Chance Animal Refuge Society in Topeka. 

Before Julia Diehl’s eighth birthday this year, she told her mom she didn’t want presents.  Instead, she explained to her mom she wanted to ask her party guests to bring a monetary donation that she in turn could give to S.C.A.R.S., a no-kill animal shelter located in Auburn.

Just outside of Topeka in the small town of Auburn, you’ll find a home with 50 dogs.  The 50 dogs are all sizes and breeds. Sadly most are there because they were either abused of abandoned.  Fortunately Maureen Cummins, is working on turning their unfortunate pasts into a better future.

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW)-A retired Topeka West High School English teacher and her husband have almost 50 dogs under their roof.
Maureen and Terry Cummins started the Second Chance Animal Refuge Society (SCARS). Now, they are searching for help from the community to keep their efforts going.

SCARS was featured in the 5th Year Anniversary edition of the Topeka Magazine (pages 24 - 27)

SCARS was featured in the Spring 2010 edition of Topeka Magazine (pages 10 - 13)